MITA’s Tour Buddy initiative comes under scrutiny

February 9, 2018

borneo-mari-mari-cultural-village — MATTA's KL Tan says law requires guides to be licensed; tour guide at Mari Mari Cultural Village pictured

Barely two months since the launch of Tour Buddy, the digital sharing economy initiative introduced by the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) in collaboration with government agency Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation has come under fire from the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), which has decried the programme’s legality and urged its members nationwide not to engage the service.

However, MITA claims Tour Buddy services fall well within the law and that MATTA has misunderstood the initiative and assumed it was competing with licensed tourist guides.

MATTA’s KL Tan says law requires guides to be licensed; tour guide at Mari Mari Cultural Village pictured

In a press statement, MATTA president, KL Tan, opined that the new service was in violation of Clause 19 of the Tourism Industry Act 1992, which states: “(1) No licensed tourism enterprise shall employ, or obtain for a tourist or any other person the services of, a tourist guide who is not licensed under this Act or whose licence has been suspended or revoked.”

“Tour buddies are illegal tourist guides and would be in hot soup if caught by officers from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture when enforcing Section 21.1 of the Tourism Industry Act, which states that ‘No person shall act, or hold himself out, as a tourist guide unless he is licensed under this part’,” he added.

If tour buddies were to organise tour packages and offer them online, he said, this would be in violation of the regulations set under the Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business that permit only licensed tour and travel agents to do so. Tourist guides are licensed only to execute tours assigned by tour operators, he argued.

On the other hand, MITA secretary-general, Adam Kamal, said the programme simply involved training participants on how to use the Tour Buddy mobile app to seek information on local places of interest including its history, best food and shopping places in the area.

Tour Buddy provides training to qualify hosts; screenshot from tourbuddy.my

He stressed: “Tour buddies are not tourist guides. They don’t do guiding. They are not meant to replace the role of tourist guides.”

Rather, the initiative can complement existing tour services, being a community-based tourism programme that encourages local communities –especially rural ones – to support the tourism ecosystem, according to Adam.

For example, individuals can promote their fruit farms or their village’s best-kept secret attractions, which can in turn benefit the tourism industry.

“Some of the tour buddies love to show their skills to tourists such as cooking, boat skills, video-taking, cycling and dance. MITA believes the Tour Buddy training will enhance the tourist experience and give more reasons for them to stay longer in Malaysia.”

He assured that MITA will not allow tour buddies to provide services if they were in violation of the law.

Chinese New Year travel bookings up 11 per cent: ForwardKeys

By TTG Asia

February 9, 2018

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chiang-mai-chinese-new-year — Japan, Thailand and Taiwan the top destinations for Chinese during the holidays

Asia-Pacific looks set to be the biggest beneficiary from the greater numbers of Chinese travelling abroad during the Lunar New Year, according to ForwardKeys.

Daily international departures are ahead 11 per cent on a comparable period last year, and ForwardKeys expects South-east Asia will experience additional uplift with the Chinese avoiding South Korea.

Japan, Thailand and Taiwan the top destinations for Chinese during the holidays

ForwardKeys further shows that Chinese travellers are making an early start from the beginning of their winter break at the end of January with figures already significantly ahead. Current bookings show that travellers will begin to peak from February 10 to February 14, ahead of the Chinese New Year (February 16) and the following Golden Week holiday.

Globally, Asia-Pacific is the top destination region. It has a market share of 76 per cent, ahead 13 per cent. But other parts of the world – the Americas, Europe and Africa & the Middle East, are showing steady, healthy growth, as the Chinese become increasingly attracted to international travel.

Japan, Thailand and Taiwan hold their positions as the top three destination countries. New Zealand tops the list of the fastest-growing destinations, ahead 30 per cent on last year; followed by Vietnam, ahead 22.5 per cent; and Hong Kong, ahead 18.3 per cent.

The pattern for Chinese travellers heading home after the celebrations tracks last year’s movement – peaking on February 21 at the end of Golden Week.

Two airports in Japan see the greatest increase in returning numbers – Sapporo, ahead 40 per cent, and Osaka, up 39 per cent. They are followed by Phuket and Dubai, ahead 34 per cent.

Chicago tops the list of those airports benefiting from Chinese homeward bound transfers.

Sri Lanka eager to double Indian arrivals

By Rohit Kaul

February 9, 2018

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Aiming to double Indian arrivals in the next couple of years, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is looking to up the ante in India through a mix of digital marketing and B2B shows to capture market share from competing destinations in South-east Asia.

As part of its digital focus, the tourism bureau has invited bids for a US$700,000 digital advertising campaign for the Indian market which it expects to introduce in May this year.

The Kelaniya Temple in Colombo, part of the Ramayana Trail.

“The digital advertising campaign in India will run for six months. In the past we have focused on electronic platforms to create a buzz but going ahead our impetus will be on digital marketing,” said Sutheash Balasubramaniam, managing director of SLTPB.

SLTPB is looking to push niche segments including golf, adventure and Ramayana trails – 50 sites mentioned in the Hindu epic.

“Nearly 25 of these sites are accessible. We have recently shot a high definition TV documentary to highlight stories related to these sites. We are working with scholars in India and Sri Lanka to develop literature that can present the right stories related to Ramayana. We will be educating Indian travel agents about the Ramayana trails through fam trips and roadshows,” said Balasubramaniam.

He added that the NTO expects to push the average length of stay of Indians, which is presently five to seven days, to 10 days by promoting lesser explored products like Ramayana trails.

The tourism board is also working to take on competition from South-east Asian destinations, including through the five or six roadshows it has planned for metro and non-metro cities.

“The number of Indian outbound travellers to Sri Lanka has increased over 17 per cent in the last six to seven years. Indian tourists have for a long time been visiting South-east Asian destinations while Sri Lanka is comparatively newer,” said Balasubramaniam.

Sri Lanka recorded about 385,000 Indian tourist arrivals in 2017, up 7.3 per cent over the previous year.

To better compete, the bureau is enhancing cooperation with private players to come up with packages, shared Viranga Bandara, SLTPB’s assistant director of marketing, India/SAARC region, adding that it brought 52 companies to the recently concluded SATTE 2018, up from 42 last year.

“We expect a lot of Indians considering the proximity and unique products like Ramayana Trail that are not present in any other regional competitors. We as a company handled about 2,000 pax from India last year, double the numbers over the previous year,” said Anton Perera, managing director, Relax Lanka Tours.

Airbnb opens up to third-party hotel distribution

By TTG Asia

February 9, 2018

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arrive-hotel-palm-springs — Boutique hotels that use SiteMinder, such as Arrive Hotel, Palm Springs (pictured), can now be listed on Airbnb

Airbnb has entered into a new partnership with cloud-based distribution platform SiteMinder to allow hotels and accommodation providers to list on the site through their existing property management systems.

This partnership is expected to enhance Airbnb’s support for traditional hospitality businesses such as boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts, which could be listed on the site independently in the past but not through third-party distribution service.

Boutique hotels that use SiteMinder, such as Arrive Hotel, Palm Springs (pictured), can now be listed on Airbnb

Under the partnership, businesses that use SiteMinder and meet Airbnb’s hospitality standards will be able to list rooms on the platform.

“Small hotels and B&Bs have long used Airbnb and now we’re building new tools and partnerships to help these local businesses thrive,” said Cameron Houser, Airbnb’s program manager for hotels.

SiteMinder’s more than 28,000 clients include leading boutique hotels, hotel ownership groups, and many other hospitality providers globally.

How to convert travel dreamers into bookers: MyTravelResearch.com

By TTG Asia

February 9, 2018

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travel-planning2 — Targeting dreamers with the right content

The period after the December-January break is when people start dreaming about their next holiday, says MyTravelResearch.com, providing an opportunity for travel marketers to inspire dreamers into making bookings.

“Many tourism businesses don’t enjoy marketing,” says Carolyn Childs, co-founder and strategist for the company. “They prefer to focus on delivering the experience. But to the potential customer, the first touch point is part of the experience. If a travel brand is not there at the dreaming stage, they will likely miss out altogether.”

Targeting dreamers with the right content

MyTravelResearch.com defines the “path to purchase” as dreaming, planning, booking, anticipating, en route, at destination, and post-holiday sharing. It’s not often as linear as that, but travel destinations need to make their presence felt at each step.

At the dreaming stage, Childs says the more emotional and engaging content is, the more it will prove “sticky” and get travellers to move from dreaming to planning and booking.”

Childs shows that ideas and actions on the path to purchase can loop back. For example, there are three ways people enjoy a holiday: anticipating, experiencing and remembering. The remembering part drives future behaviour (such as return visits) or inspires dreaming about travel among friends and colleagues.

With the early dreaming stage marketing visuals critical, the company says travel promotion needs to evoke a positive emotion. Research shows that enticing colour in marketing images often acts as a trigger to book. Citing research by Xerox, MyTravelResearch.com shared that coloured visuals increase a person’s willingness to read content by 80 per cent. Colour boosts recall by 82 per cent.

The link between videos and dreaming is clear, MyTravelResearch.comsays. A Google/ICT Ipsos study shows that 51 per cent of leisure travellers are inspired by online travel videos, 69 per cent of business travellers and 55 per cent of affluent travellers.

The company further stresses that the time frame between dreaming and booking varies. For major trips it can be months. For short breaks the dreaming to booking phase may take place the same day. Sometimes a booking can be triggered by a hot deal, but the person has to have been dreaming about the destination to some extent beforehand.

Bangkok Airways puts down ATR order for SE Asia growth

By Pamela Chow

February 9, 2018

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bangkok-airways-atr — More ATRs for regional expansion; Bangkok Airways' Anawat Leelawatwatana (left) and ATR's Christian Scherer

Bangkok Airways on Wednesday signed a contract to purchase four ATR 72-600 aircraft, valued at more than US$10 million, for the airline to develop its domestic and regional networks.

Anawat Leelawatwatana, its senior vice president – finance and accounting, confirmed at Singapore Airshow 2018 that the airline is looking to expand its reach in the Indochina region.

More ATRs for regional expansion; Bangkok Airways’ Anawat Leelawatwatana (left) and ATR’s Christian Scherer

“We’d also like to increase the frequency (of flights) to some of our existing destinations,” shared Anawat. Bangkok Airways flies to more than 20 destinations in Thailand and Asia, including Koh Samui, Phuket and the Maldives.

The airline has considerably increased its fleet strength, from eight aircraft in early-2014 to the current fleet of 15.

This includes the four new additions, comprising a total of nine ATR 72-600s and six ATR 72-500s being progressively replaced by the former.

Frasers Hospitality expands Japan portfolio

By TTG Asia

February 9, 2018

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fraser-by-capri — Artist impression of Fraser Suites Akasaka (left) and Capri by Fraser, Ginza

Frasers Hospitality, a member of Frasers Property Group, has invested S$250 million (US$188 million) to develop two new serviced residences in Tokyo’s Ginza and Akasaka districts.

Capri by Fraser, Ginza / Japan, to launch under the group’s millennial-focused hotel residence brand Capri by Fraser, will have close to 200 rooms, as well as social spaces such as a lobby bar. It will be situated near Ginza, with the Chuo-dori shopping street, Shimbashi Station and the Shiodome City Center located in the vicinity.

Artist impression of Fraser Suites Akasaka (left) and Capri by Fraser, Ginza

Fraser Suites Akasaka, designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, will offer luxurious studio- and one-bedroom apartments at a central downtown location surrounded by Tokyo’s main transportation hubs and foreign embassies.

Both properties are scheduled to open in 2020.

“Frasers Hospitality is no stranger to the Japanese market. We opened Fraser Residence Nankai, Osaka in 2010. The country continues to be a priority market for us and we are looking to extend our footprint not just in Tokyo but also other key cities in Japan,” said Choe Peng Sum, Frasers Hospitality’s CEO.

Frasers Hospitality’s global portfolio, including those in the pipeline, stands at more than 145 properties in over 80 cities with close to 23,000 keys.

New Hotels: New World Petaling Jaya Hotel, U Janevalla Bandung and more

By TTG Asia

February 9, 2018

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New World Petaling Jaya Hotel
New World Hotels & Resorts’s first Malaysia property is now open in Petaling Jaya. All of its 300 guestrooms feature bamboo flooring, as well as Malaysian-themed artwork. Rooms start from 36m² for Deluxe to 73m² suites, of which there are only 20 of. Recreational facilities include a 300m2 infinity pool on Level 30, whirlpool, fitness centre and three F&B options. For meetings and events, the hotel has a 1,700m² pillarless grand ballroom capable of accommodating up to 1,000 guests, as well as eight meeting rooms.

U Janevalla Bandung
The 119-key boutique luxury property is set to open on March 15. Hotel facilities include the Wrap & Roll all-day-dining restaurant, a library, rooftop pool bar, gym, five meeting rooms and one boardroom. The brand’s concept of service allows guests to enjoy their room for 24 hours from check-in, as well as breakfast whenever/wherever during their stay, and pre-selected amenities from the online U Choose programme. Bookings are now open.

Sheraton Grand Danang Resort
The 258-key Sheraton Grand Danang Resort has opened on Non Nuoc Beach in Vietnam. Every guestroom or one-, two- and three-bedroom suite feature the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience with views of the ocean or the infinity pool. Other facilities include Shine Spa for Sheraton, and seven restaurants and bars. The Conference Center building offers more than 3,300m² of space across 14 separate indoor function spaces, including the 1,263m² Sheraton Grand Ballroom. Additional scenic pool lawn and prime beachfront locations are also available for outdoor events.

Zazz Urban Bangkok
Located within TC Green on Rama 9 Road, this boutique property offers 33 standard rooms with square-shaped bathtubs, 13 premium rooms and two lavish suites, all of which come furnished with a flatscreen TV and minibar. There are also two F&B venues onsite: Day’Li, the all-day dining restaurant; and Zook rooftop bar – also available for private hire.

Le Méridien Shenyang, Heping
Le Méridien Shenyang, Heping, has opened its doors in north-east China with 296 rooms and suites, each furnished with a deep-soaking tub and 55-inch flatscreen TV. Aside from several meeting venues totalling 1,000m², other amenities include a spa, swimming pool, fitness centre, two restaurants and a lounge bar.

GM named for Oakwood’s upcoming Osaka property

By TTG Asia

February 9, 2018

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Oakwood Worldwide has appointed Yasuko Sugiyama as general manager of Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Shin-Osaka – scheduled to open in summer 2018.

Prior to joining Oakwood, Sugiyama was area manager for Booking.com, where she managed the offices in Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

The hospitality veteran has more than 25 years of experience across the serviced apartment and hotel sectors in Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Japan.

Niseko: not just a winter destination

By Rachel AJ Lee

February 9, 2018

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Sunflower-field-in-Niseko-Hokkaido-Japan-(Akira-Ogasawara) — Sunflower field in Niseko Hokkaido, Japan

The traditional winter destination of Niseko and its surrounds are working to draw more tourist footfalls during other quieter seasons, and there will be a higher chance of success should the government help with destination awareness and easier access.

Summer is a time for flowers to bloom; sunflower field in Niseko

Acme Wu, marketing manager of Niseko Promotion Board, said: “We have been generating marketing collaterals such as videos, and have been organising more events in the summer, such as the Niseko Classic bicycle race, and the music and food festival Niko Niko Niseko Village Festival.”

In addition, Wu pointed out that “accommodation is cheaper, and is normally half (the price) of winter”.

But Chihiro Tamao, Hilton Niseko Village’s director of sales, pointed out that these summer activities are “not well introduced to the market, and information is limited”.

In order to lure these visitors out to Niseko, Tamao shared that the property does sales calls and participates in tradeshows, as well as works closely with travel agencies and land operators – based in Tokyo and Niseko – who have partners in other countries.

Thirty minutes away from Niseko is The Westin Rusutsu Resort, which shares in the summer-season woes.

Yuta Yoshio, the hotel’s director of sales, told TTG Asia: “From mid-December to the beginning of April, occupancy is more than 90 per cent. But from end-April to mid-July, it’s only 50 per cent. Then it’s the school holidays, so occupancy goes back up to 90 per cent. But from mid August to beginning of November, it’s back to 50 per cent.”

Moreover, he opined that Hokkaido is well-known for winter, but foreigners don’t think of it as a destination to see cherry blossoms – for example – and they head to Tokyo instead.

“Business is good during winter, but during the green season it is very challenging. There are actually many outdoor activities that can be done,” said Yoshio.

Tamao added: “I think Hokkiado as a destination is already well-known internationally. But flight connectivity to Chitose airport is a challenge; travellers would prefer not to transit in Osaka or Tokyo (if they are heading directly to Hokkaido).”

“Airports in smaller cities – such as Hakodate in the south, or Asahikawa in the centre, or a smaller airport in Eastern Hokkaido – should be opened up to receive more international or chartered flights. By doing so, travellers will be able to move within Hokkiado and spread demand, instead of having to leave and depart from Chitose,” she pointed out.

MITA’s Tour Buddy initiative comes under scrutiny

Chinese New Year travel bookings up 11 per cent: ForwardKeys

Sri Lanka eager to double Indian arrivals

Airbnb opens up to third-party hotel distribution

How to convert travel dreamers into bookers: MyTravelResearch.com

Bangkok Airways puts down ATR order for SE Asia growth

Frasers Hospitality expands Japan portfolio

New Hotels: New World Petaling Jaya Hotel, U Janevalla Bandung and more

GM named for Oakwood’s upcoming Osaka property

Niseko: not just a winter destination

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